Hi Everyone

I'm a infrastructure systems engineer with a great deal of project experience looking to transition into a BA or SA role.  In preparation I've done ITIL, Prince 2 and university papers in requirements analysis and business process modeling.  Between that and my projects 'drive' I've got a reasonable skillset and examples of documentation I've produced.  I also did a technical writing test with one agency that I aced so I'm not worried about doing the job.

My problem of course is the foot in the door so I've been starting to apply for contract positions off the job boards.  I've tried internally but I don't have enough contact with our PMO to make the solid contacts I need and my organisation seems determined to keep me as a technical resource.

What I am finding is that I'll have the initial chat or meeting with the agent - they'll tell me I'm a strong candidate who presents well and shouldn't have any trouble landing a contract.  But I never hear from them again.  Now I assume what happens is that they get a job for say a finance BA - 3 CVs come in the door from BAs who've done a contract in banking - problem solved and fair enough the recruiter is in business. 

Then I see another role advertised with the same agent.  How do you chase them while still looking professional?  My city isn't huge - there's not a massive pool of agents hence I need to get this right.

I agree with Craig!  Take a proactive approach and be the one showing genuine interest in your career. 

Also try to put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter... the recruiting agency develops personal relationships with their clients (hiring organizations) and have a vested interest in placing the best candidate they can get.  This way next time the client has another opening they will reach out to the same recruiter.

Now the best candidate does not always mean the most experienced one.  If the recruiter's client is looking for a junior analyst then the recruiter will try to present the best junior analyst they can.  So try to differentiate yourself from the rest of them.  Here are some tips:

• Again, be proactive by keeping in touch with the recruiter and telling them that you are very interested in landing a certain type of position and that you will work work to do a great job and to represent well the recruiting firm,
• Let the recruiter know what you are doing to continue to improve your skills: for example taking a business analysis course,
• Let the recruiter know that you are actively involved in the business analysis community via membership to ModernAnalyst.com,
• Ask the recruiter to let you know if there is any particular area in which you should improve and then be proactive and go ahead and work on that area.  Make sure you let them know you are listening to their feedback.

- Adrian